Home furnishings retailer IKEA has purchased the 165 MW Cameron Wind Farm from Apex Clean Energy. Located in Cameron County, Texas, the project represents IKEA's second U.S. wind farm acquisition, and the company says this is its single largest renewable energy investment to date. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Apex will construct and manage the project, and IKEA will fully own the wind farm. Meanwhile, Acciona has entered an agreement to supply 55 of its AW125/3000 turbines for the Cameron project. That contract includes a 20-year service warranty and marks the first installation of the AW125/3000 model in the U.S. Each turbine installed at the Cameron project will have a rotor diameter of 125 meters and a 3 MW generator mounted on an 87.5-meter steel tower.
Turbine deliveries are scheduled for mid-2015, and the project is expected to reach commercial operation later that year.Â
According to IKEA, the new wind farm will contribute significantly to the company's 2020 goal to produce as much renewable energy as the total electricity the company consumes globally. IKEA says it has now committed to own and operate 279 wind turbines in nine countries and will invest a total of $1.9 billion in wind and solar power up to the end of 2015.
‘IKEA believes that the climate challenge requires bold commitment and action,’ says Rob Olson, IKEA US acting president and CFO. ‘We invest in renewable energy to become more sustainable as a business and also because it makes good business sense. And as a home furnishings retailer with sustainability in our roots, we are committed to providing products and solutions that help our customers be more sustainable in their everyday lives.’
Earlier this year, IKEA announced its first U.S. wind farm purchase: The Hoopeston Wind project, also being developed by Apex, is 98 MW and located in Hoopeston, Ill.
‘Apex is excited to partner with IKEA once again to bring clean, renewable energy from wind to market in the U.S.,’ says Apex President Mark Goodwin. ‘Both companies understand that this abundant resource is great for the planet, great for our business and great for our shared future.’
